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Undulate ray (Raja undulata) — Rajidae

Undulate ray

Raja undulata
Family: Rajidae

The Undulate ray (Raja undulata) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–200.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: West Sahara, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, UK Engld Wal, Channel Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The undulate ray is a skate (Rajidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a flattened, diamond-shaped, brown body with a handsome pattern of wavy dark lines edged by white spots, and a long tail with rows of thorns. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for worms, crustaceans and small fish; it lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Undulate ray?

The Undulate ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Undulate ray live?

The Undulate ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Europe: West Sahara, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, UK Engld Wal, Channel Is. and others

How big does the Undulate ray get?

The Undulate ray grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Undulate ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Undulate ray is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Undulate ray edible?

Yes, the Undulate ray is commonly eaten.

More photos

Undulate ray (Raja undulata) — Rajidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Undulate ray (Raja undulata) — Rajidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pierre Corbrion, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Undulate ray (Raja undulata) — Rajidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) João Pedro Silva, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Undulate ray and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Undulate ray sourced
Scientific name
Raja undulata
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Painted ray; Undulate painted ray; Undulate ray; Undulate skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Europe: West Sahara, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, UK Engld Wal, Channel Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Raja

More from the family Rajidae

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